The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-05
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
MIR. Fishback ON Monopolies.

MIR. Efshback ON Monopolies.
70 the Editor of the Indianapolis Journal.
One OF your correspondents takes me to task
for having asked the people present at the Tom
hnson Hall meeting to pledge themselves to
take gas from the Consumers Gas Trust Com
pany in preference to other companies. He
asks me how 1 can reconcile that proposition
with what said about monopolies. / should
have given the matter attention before now had
not my official duties taken all my time.
When law studensI learned that monopoly
is the abuse of free commerce by which one or
more individuals or companies have procured
the advantage of selling alone all of particular
kind of merchandise, to the detriment of the
public" is is "anv combination among
merchants 20 raise the price of merchandise to
the injury of the olc;" or it is ''the grant by
the sovereign power TO any person or corpor-
alton by which the exclusive right of buying or
selling anything is given to any person or corpor-
alton"
An illustration Of the first kind OF monopoly
was given BY the Indianapolis Natura-gas
Company whore it endeavoreo ito procure the
advantage of selling alone" all the natural gas
to be consumed by our citizens It demanded
the exclusive right to use the streets for piping
gas. coupled with the declaration that we should
pay for gas 90 per cent. more than what 1t now
admits is a fair rsmunerative price. This would
nanifestiy have been Ito the detriment OF the
public"
our coal pool. which IL largely controlled by
Mr.. Branham. the president of the Indianapolis
Naturai-sas Company and his associates The
coal pool is a com bin alton of merchants to raise
the price of coal TO the injury of the public and
how the public has been injured can % told ov
every consumer of coal in Indianapolis
Our State Constitution happily prohibits the
grant of exclusive rights by the Legislature to
individuals, and we are thus secure from
monopoes of the third class
1t will be noticed that the very essence of mo-
fhA tn afSa n ha
jury of the public. This purpose mas been open
~ declared by the terms OF the ordinance pro-
posed by the Indianapolis Natural-eas Compa-
nv, and the same purpose is now being carried
out by the coal pool
To prevent this injury to the public the
Consumer Gas Trust Company was organized.
Il is not. il cannot possibly become, a monopoly.
Its declared purpose is ia supply fuel to every
citizen at the cheapest possible rates. The de-
ciared purpose of its opponents is 70 compel our
people to take fuel at the highest obtainable
rates. One Is in the interest OF few, the other
is for the good of all. By placing the voting
power of the entire capital stock IN the handle of
Gen. Morris, Gov. Porter. Mr.. Butler. Mr. Muir
ply and Mr. Schnull, who compose the board of
trustees we have made it impossible for avarice
or cupidty to Illustrate the objects OF the eorpo-
ration. By selecting directors such men
Judge Lamb, Henry Coburn, j. T. Pratt, Hugh
Hannah. Thomas Davis. E. T. Claypool, Eli
Lilly. John P. Frenzel and Fred Fahnley, the
trustees have met the public expectation, and
have given assurance of what may be expected
OF them in the future.
It is TO such company. organized for the
public good, and managed by men who represent
the solid interests and the best business enter
prise and integrity OF the city. that asked the
people to pledge their support The popular
subscription of half million dollars to the cap
ital stock was an amazing achievement. The
alacrity with which the subscribers have volun-
tarily. without solicitation. paid almost the en-
tire 20 per cent. assessment is more wonderful
still It shows that the company has a warm
place in the hearts of the people.
In order to make il success, however, two
things are necessary. Gas in abundance can be
procured. II requires money to bring it to our
homes. L. is inportant that the company shall
have good credit Nothing does more to give
a corporation individual good credit than
a good income. If you wish TO sell railroad
bond the question Is. how much can your road
earn. If you wish to mortgage business block
you are asked what income will 1t produce
Now, the income OF gas company must come
from it's patrons. Why not come forward then,
and say that you will do what you to give
credit TO enterprise that works for the inter
ests of all our people. IN preference to other
who do not profess to act except for
the private profit of few stockholders!
It's not simply the purpose TO have tenn
porary supply of cheap fuel What we need is
tie assurance aud the fact OF permanent fuel
supply at cost. The trust is not a mere scare
crow to beat down pieces for short time. The
welfare of the city depends on making il sue
cess that prices shall be kept down and then
manufactures coming here will know what to
depend on.
Competition will not bring about the result.
Competition in such matters results either in
the breaking down of the weaker by the
stronger, in a com bination or combine
which always hurts the public
In Toledo they vera to have competition. Two
pipe lines We're laid. One by the same Standard
Oil gang now working with the Indianapolis
Company. The competitors have combined to
fleece the public. and prices are so high that the
citizens are considering a scheme for raising
IS. 000, 900 by taxation, to bring gas to Toledo
at prices low enough to induce manufacturers to
use it.
indianapolis has taken the initiative in new
method for preventing monopoly of the fuel
and light supply. Nearly five thousand citi-
zens have said that these chief necessities of
liZed life shall como to city such prices as
will bring capital and population here. A tally
DO coach load of citizens have combined to pre-
vent this For one take my stand with the
people. and repeat what I said at Tor,iinson
Hall. that every public spirited citizen should
esteem it privilege to cay by his contract that
be prefers to stand with the many against the
few. w. Z. FIsHBACK.
An Old Lady Remembered.
TO the Editor of nd lis i III ruaI.